Civic Engagement Specialist
The Civic Engagement Specialist performs a wide range of technical and interpersonal activities across southwest Minnesota to build and strengthen southwest Minnesota civic infrastructure to be fully inclusive by working collaboratively to identify and remove barriers to full participation by all. Utilizing principles of power sharing, this specialist works to ensure that all voices belong in places of formal leadership within communities.
This leader is responsible for nurturing community opportunities that impact critical needs in southwest Minnesota. They serve as a liaison between the Foundation and elected officials and traditional community leaders to provide opportunities to expand opportunities for diverse leaders. This position requires an innovative and direct disposition while maintaining flexibility and a highly collaborative style in connecting to and working with southwest Minnesota governing bodies, residents and organizations. The work is highly autonomous and entails extensive relationship building with individuals, strategic partners, public officials, and policy changers. As such, this position requires exceptional interpersonal and communication skills. Additionally, this position offers a high degree of flexibility and creativity for the individual to develop and promote new initiatives and projects that align with SWIF’s values, goals, and mission. Find out more and apply to be our Civic Engagement Specialist
Apply OnlineWho We Are
Southwest Initiative Foundation is an independent community foundation supported by individuals, families, businesses, and organizations who want to strengthen southwest Minnesota. Founded in 1986, we’ve become a trusted partner and a regional leader. We work hard to make southwest Minnesota a great place.
We believe that dignity and belonging are core human values and that all people deserve the opportunity to reach their full potential. We are a human-centered organization and acknowledge that people have different needs and aspirations. We commit to removing barriers that prevent full participation in southwest Minnesota’s abundant opportunities. We use our resources to create opportunities for all people to thrive in the communities they call home.
The Southwest Initiative Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and proudly values diversity. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply.
How We Work
We believe the future of southwest Minnesota is bright! And we aspire to achieve great things in our region by working together. Caring for the well-being of our amazing team is important to us. Physical, financial, and emotional health is essential for our staff to succeed and for the advancement of our mission. Our talent management focuses on the whole person, their family and how the foundation can help people find their passions and talents and align them with the mission of the organization.
Staff members are expected to be trustworthy, fair and respectful, and we’re accountable for our words and actions. We embrace courageous leadership required to live out our mission. We treat our colleagues, partners and communities with empathy and respect and approach our role in collaborative processes with humility, hospitality and heart.
We value learning and innovation. We continuously seek to expand both personal and organizational knowledge, and we are willing to take healthy risks in pursuit of big ideas.
And we’re fun! Whether it’s some work-related poetry, a story shared across cubicles or a bowl of hot soup on a cold Monday, we like to make each other smile.
